The deputy prime minister of Singapore is the deputy head of government of the Republic of Singapore, and a key political ally of the prime minister. The incumbent deputy prime minister is Gan Kim Yong, an MP for Punggol Group Representation Constituency from the governing People's Action Party, who took office on 15 May 2024.
History The office of deputy prime minister is the second highest position in the Cabinet of Singapore, typically held by senior ministers. At times, two individuals could serve simultaneously as deputy prime ministers. The officeholder is generally assigned specific duties by the prime minister, including deputising in the Parliament of Singapore. Additionally, the deputy prime minister often acts as prime minister during periods when the latter is abroad, on leave or incapacitated.
Established in 1959 with Singapore's attainment of self-governance from the British Empire, the first deputy prime minister was appointed by Yang di-Pertuan Negara William Goode. The position retained its title following Singapore's merger with the Federation of Malaya, Sarawak and North Borneo to form Malaysia, during which Singapore functioned as an autonomous federated state between 1963 and 1965. Toh Chin Chye was the inaugural officeholder, serving from 1959 to 1968. It was vacant from 1968 to 1973, when prime minister Lee Kuan Yew did not pick a deputy for his Third Cabinet after winning the 1968 Singaporean general election.
Two former deputy prime ministers of Singapore have subsequently been elected as President of Singapore. These include Ong Teng Cheong and Tharman Shanmugaratnam, both of whom transitioned from their deputy roles to the nation's head of state. Lawrence Wong assumed the office of deputy prime minister on 13 June 2022 but left the position on 15 May 2024 to become prime minister, making his tenure the shortest in the history of the office. His successor, Gan Kim Yong, took office on 15 May 2024 and continues to serve concurrently as Minister for Trade and Industry.
List of deputy prime ministers Since its formation, all individuals who have held the position of Deputy Prime Minister have been members of the People's Action Party (PAP). Political parties
PortraitNameTerm of officePolitical partyPrime MinisterCabinetTook officeLeft office 1Toh Chin Chye5 June195918 October1963PAPLee Kuan YewLee K. I19 October196315 April1968Lee K. IIVacantLee K. IIIVacantLee K. IV 2Goh Keng Swee1 March197330 December1976PAP (2)Goh Keng Swee31 December19765 January1981PAPLee K. V 3S. Rajaratnam1 June19805 January1981 (2)Goh Keng Swee6 January19811 January1985PAPLee K. VI (3)S. Rajaratnam6 January19811 January1985 4Goh Chok Tong2 January198512 September1988PAPLee K. VII 5Ong Teng Cheong2 January198512 September1988 (4)Goh Chok Tong13 September198827 November1990PAPLee K. VIII (5)Ong Teng Cheong13 September198827 November1990 6Lee Hsien Loong28 November19906 September1991PAPGoh Chok TongGoh I (5)Ong Teng Cheong28 November19906 September1991 (6)Lee Hsien Loong7 September199124 January1997PAPGoh II (5)Ong Teng Cheong7 September199116 August1993 7Tony Tan1 August199524 January1997 (6)Lee Hsien Loong25 January199722 November2001PAPGoh III (7)Tony Tan25 January199722 November2001 (6)Lee Hsien Loong23 November200111 August2004PAPGoh IV (7)Tony Tan23 November200111 August2004 (7)Tony Tan12 August20041 September2005PAPLee Hsien LoongLee H. I8S. Jayakumar12 August200429 May2006(8)S. Jayakumar30 May20061 April2009PAPLee H. II9Wong Kan Seng30 May200620 May201110Teo Chee Hean1 April200920 May2011(10)Teo Chee Hean21 May201130 September2015PAPLee H. III11Tharman Shanmugaratnam21 May201130 September2015(10)Teo Chee Hean1 October201530 April2019PAPLee H. IV(11)Tharman Shanmugaratnam1 October201530 April201912Heng Swee Keat1 May201926 July2020(12)Heng Swee Keat27 July202014 May2024PAPLee H. V13Lawrence Wong13 June202214 May202414Gan Kim Yong15 May202422 May2024PAPLawrence WongWong I(12)Heng Swee Keat15 May202422 May2025(14)Gan Kim Yong23 May2025IncumbentPAPWong II
See also Prime Minister of Singapore Senior Minister of Singapore Prime Minister's Office (PMO) Cabinet of Singapore
Notes and references
External links
Prime Minister's Office